Daria’s happiness amidst the war. From Odesa to Moldova, three generations, one family, one strength

I don’t know if my daughter is missing anything at home, because she was so little at that time, and her whole world was her mother and grandmother. As long as we are here, she is okay here. We are her home,” says Natalia, as she looks tenderly at her 10-year-old daughter and her mother in the modest two-room flat where they live, 50 kilometers from the capital, Chisinau.

Natalia, the grandmother, Daria, the young girl, and Tetiana, her mother, are three generations whose lives were forever changed on March 4, 2022. On the day the airport of Odesa was attacked, living just a couple of kilometers away, the family was shaken by the deafening explosion. Fearing for their safety, they decided to seek refuge in Moldova.

With Tetiana behind the wheel of a borrowed car, the three crossed borders with the Republic of Moldova, carrying hope and the bond that held them together.

They found solace with friends - former residents of Odesa now living in Moldova - who welcomed them and offered shelter during the initial months.

The war’s impact was severe: Daria, with Down Syndrome, who had just begun to speak after years of speech therapy, was so traumatized by the constant noise and explosions that she stopped talking once again, retreating into silence. Natalia, the grandmother, struggled with health issues, her blood pressure spiking amidst the chaos.

Starting anew in Moldova was daunting. Everything had to be rebuilt from scratch.

With help from friends, they have been introduced to some local educators and specialists who assisted Daria to slowly begin to speak again. And for the first time in her life, she was finally able to start school at the age of eight.

“Sometimes I had to work every day of the week to make sure Daria has everything she needs. The expenses are many, and as a single mother, it’s a constant challenge. My husband left us before our daughter was born. I haven’t seen him in over ten years."

Tetiana needed to save money to buy her daughter an insulin pump: Daria has suffered from type 1 diabetes since she was 11 months old. In Ukraine, she relied entirely on frequent manual injections for insulin administration, almost ten times a day. This procedure would not have allowed her to attend school, and Tetiana was determined not to deny her daughter the opportunity to enjoy it, as she was confident that Daria would start talking again soon.

The insulin pump and all the supplies needed to make it work were essential.

A few weeks after their arrival, Tetiana found a job in a fruit juice factory. Over the course of several months, she managed to save up enough money to buy the pump.

The device, which is worn with a belt around the waist and delivers a continuous infusion of insulin under the skin, has a life-saving function: it administers insulin every few minutes and alerts her when it is necessary to check or adjust Daria's blood glucose level.

Daria finally starts going to school. She makes friends, integrates immediately, and enjoys her moments of happiness under the watchful eye of her grandmother, who is ready to step in whenever needed.

“I am the one who takes care of this! As soon as the device sounds, I immediately administer the insulin dose she requires,” the grandmother proudly states.

Now, Daria truly enjoys attending school. She eagerly participates in a variety of activities, from reciting poems to learning new dances. She feels a special bond with her teacher, who is kind and understanding, making the classroom a welcoming and safe place for her. She also has two best friends, Varvara and Eva. When she mentions their names, her face lights up with a bright smile, as does her grandmother, who spends most of the day with her beloved granddaughter.

Natalia, 63, goes to school every day with Daria. In 2025, she underwent surgery at the Republican Clinical Hospital in Chisinau for a bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy and is currently receiving medical treatment.

“I feel wonderful!” the grandmother says confidently. “When I am not at school, I take care of the cooking and help my granddaughter with her homework.”

Surrounded by the love and protection of her mother and grandmother, as well as the support of her friends and teacher, Daria flourishes as a joyful and happy child.

However, maintaining this advanced therapy involves a considerable financial burden. The insulin reservoir must be refilled approximately every three days, while the sensor must be replaced once a week. This is a medically necessary routine, but it places a strain on the family's limited financial resources. Without financial support from the European Union through the project “Responding to the urgent humanitarian needs of vulnerable refugees and third-country nationals in the Republic of Moldova” implemented by the International Organization for Migration in the Republic of Moldova, maintaining this equipment would be unsustainable. 

The IOM Moldova’s Protection Unit is responsible for providing the necessary supplies for the insulin pump and also assists in purchasing essential goods such as food and hygiene products.

“As long as we are here, this support is essential,” said Tetiana.

Daria’s health and happiness are what matter most to this strong, three-generation family of women.

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Thanks to the EU-funded support, IOM assisted in the Republic of Moldova more than 1,200 displaced people who fled the full-scale war in Ukraine.

The story was written by Riccardo Severi, with the assistance of the Mobile Protection Unit at IOM Moldova.